Addressing the extremes of political correctness

Nov. 5, 2003

KALAMAZOO -- When has political correctness run amok? A Western
Michigan University professor hopes to answer this question at
an upcoming lecture sponsored by the Center for the Study of
Ethics in Society.

Dr. Joseph Ellin, professor of philosophy, will present "Political
Correctness Today" at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in Room 215
of the Bernhard Center. The lecture will address three themes
Ellin believes are central to political correctness: sensitivity,
diversity and multiculturism.

"For something to be 'PC,' it must contain a good idea
carried to extremes," says Ellin. "In some cases these
extremes are ridiculous, but in others they are clearly malign."

His presentation also will explore some well-known cases,
including the temporary suspension of funding for The Hawk's
Right Eye, a conservative publication at Roger Williams University
in Rhode Island; the media silence surrounding "Coloring
the News," a book by William McGowan criticizing the media
for ignoring stories because of a liberal agenda; and the famous
case of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu, who wrote
"I, Rigoberta Menchu," an autobiography chronicling
her family's years living under an oppressive Guatemalan government.
While doing research in Guatemala, anthropology professor David
Stoll conducted interviews with people mentioned in the book
who claimed many of the experiences Menchu wrote about were fabrications.

WMU's Center for the Study of Ethics in Society was established
to encourage and support research, teaching and service to the
University and community in the areas of applied and professional
ethics. For more information, call (269) 387-4397.